Fossil Preparation and Restoration

When restoring existing displays, the dismantling of a skeleton on exhibit
provides a rare opportunity to clean and reconsolidate an otherwise
inaccessible fossil skeleton. All preparation and conservation is carefully
performed by technicians at Research Casting under Peter May's direct
supervision. Our fossil preparation lab is outfitted with microblasters, air
scribes and air handling. Specimens are stored safely in either custom built
sealed cabinets or on our over-size specimen storage racking system.

We have had experience handling many types of fossil from the very hard
Jurassic fossils to the softer Cretaceous fossils and the incredibly fragile
Sauropod fossils from Malawi. Discussions with the conservators at the
Museum determine which types of consolidants and adhesives are to be used on
a specimen. In the past, Research Casting has worked with many museums
mounting and conserving fossils and the material preferences of the museum's
conservators have always been followed. We are also able to offer
suggestions regarding materials and processes from our past experiences.

The process of molding and casting must ensure the integrity of the fossils
which may have degenerated or weakened over time. The safety of the
specimens is paramount. Each stage of the process is comprehensively
documented and digitally photographed. To ensure their safety, fossils are
completely restored and reconsolidated before the molding or mounting
process begins. In many cases, the old consolidants are removed, the
specimens are cleaned, and unstable fractures or breaks are mended. The
fossils are then returned to a freshly conserved condition.

3D scanning

This technology has created safer conditions for fossils during the mounting
process and has allowed us to create more accurate reconstructions. The
scanning of a fossil is a non-invasive process, and is highly accurate. To
minimize the stress and handling of a fossil during the mounting process, a
3D printed replica can be used in place of the actual fossil. We can also
enlarge, reduce, mirror-image, 'correct' geological distortion
(retro-deformation) and digitally sculpt missing parts to provide much more
accurate reconstructions than traditional sculpting techniques.

Scanning for research purposes can be performed at our production facility
or on-site at a museum. At the museum, our staff will set up a temporary
laboratory for scanning fossils in order to collect raw digital data from
the laser scanning process. The raw data is then processed at Research
Casting's head office to produce a complete and highly accurate digital
record of the specimen. This digital record can be explored for scientific
and educational purposes in a user-friendly format. Scanning fossils on site
at a museum also reduces the physical handling of the fossil during packing
and shipping.